On 19 March 2026, the UEFA Europa Conference League knockout stage continues with crucial matches as teams battle for progression to the next round. With qualification on the line, clubs are expected to approach these fixtures with a balanced mix of attacking ambition and defensive discipline. Managing the tempo of the game, tactical organization, and taking chances in key moments could be decisive factors. As the competition advances, the pressure increases, and even small mistakes can prove costly in tightly contested ties across Europe.
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AEK Athens vs Celje
AEK Athens finished the group stage in 3rd place with 13 points. After playing 6 matches, they had four wins, one draw, and one loss, with a goal difference of 14:7, showing a strong offense and good organization.
In attack, Jovic, Koita, and Kutesa stand out, bringing speed and creativity. The team plays technical football with good ball control and organized play in the midfield. They perform disciplined and tactically stable on away games. Their style is offensive and well-structured.
Celje ended the group stage in 13th place with 10 points. After 6 matches, they had three wins, one draw, and two losses, with a goal difference of 8:7, indicating a relatively balanced performance.
In the 1/16 finals, they defeated Drita with an overall score of 6:4 in an efficient two-leg match. However, in their first away game, they suffered a heavy loss of 4:0. In attack, Kovacevic, Iosifov, and Karnicnik shine, bringing energy and creativity. Defensively, the team plays compactly and disciplined, with a dynamic style and quick transitions.
AEK Athens has a big advantage after their convincing 4:0 win in the first match. The team plays well-organized with good possession control and a strong offense. Celje will try to make a better impression, but they will have to take a lot of risks to reduce the large deficit.
3+ (Over 2.5)
Predicted CS: 3:1
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AEK Larnaca vs Crystal Palace
AEK Larnaca finished the group stage in 8th place with 12 points earned. After playing 6 matches, they had three wins, three draws, and no losses, with a goal difference of 7:1, showing a very strong defense. In their first match, they played excellently and managed to stay unbeaten away from home.
In attack, Bajic, Rohden, and Angielski stand out as they bring energy and scoring ability. The team plays disciplined with good tactical organization and a compact defense, and their style is structured and tactically stable.
Crystal Palace ended the group stage in 10th place with 10 points earned. After 6 matches, they had three wins, one draw, and two losses, with a goal difference of 11:6, indicating a solid offense and good organization. In the round of 16, they defeated Zrinjski with an overall score of 3:1. They couldn’t secure an advantage in the first match at home.
In attack, Nketiah, Uche, and Sarr shine as they bring speed and creativity. Defensively, the team plays compactly and disciplined. At home, they play aggressively and at a high pace. Their style is dynamic with quick transitions.
AEK Larnaca relies on a very solid defense and a disciplined tactical approach. Crystal Palace has more speed and dynamism in their attack with Nketiah, Uche, and Sarr, and they will try to impose a faster pace in the game. Even though they couldn’t gain an advantage in the first match, the English team has the quality to win.
2 (Crystal Palace to Win)
Predicted CS: 1:2
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Mainz vs Sigma Olomouc
Mainz finished the group stage in 7th place with 13 points. After 6 matches, they had four wins, one draw, and one loss, with a goal difference of 7:3, showing a disciplined defense and a stable team balance.
In their first match, they managed to stay unbeaten in a goalless game. In attack, Amiri, Lee Jae-Sung, and Hollerbach stood out as the main creators and scorers. The team plays organized, with a well-set defense and quick transitions to attack, which is especially dangerous when playing away.
Sigma Olomouc ended the group stage in 24th place with 7 points. After 6 matches, they had two wins, one draw, and three losses, with a goal difference of 7:9. In the round of 16, they defeated Lausanne with an overall score of 3:2. Recently, they have been in good form with several consecutive wins.
In attack, Ghali, Kral, and Vasulin are the most dangerous in the finishing phase. The team plays offensively and tries to create pressure through fast attacks and a high tempo.
Mainz has a slight advantage because of their solid defense and disciplined play, which is evident from the small goal difference in the group stage. Sigma Olomouc is coming in strong and plays more offensively with a fast pace, trying to create pressure through quick attacks. I expect a tactical match with careful play from both sides.
0-2 (Under 2.5)
Predicted CS: 1:0
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Rakow vs Fiorentina
Rakow finished the group stage in second place with 14 points. After playing 6 matches, they had four wins and two draws, with a goal difference of 9:2, showing a very strong defense and disciplined play. In their first match, they lost away, so they enter this game with a slight disadvantage.
In attack, Diaby-Fadiga, Brunes, and Repka stand out, bringing speed and scoring ability. The team plays organized with a compact defense and quick counterattacks, and they are careful and tactically disciplined.
Fiorentina ended the group stage in 15th place with 9 points. After 6 matches, they had three wins and three losses, with a goal difference of 8:5, indicating a solid offense but some fluctuations in form. In the round of 16, they defeated Jagiellonia with an overall score of 5:4 in a very efficient two-legged tie. In the first match, they won 2:1 with a goal from Gudmundsson in the 93rd minute from a penalty.
In attack, Ndour and Dzeko also shine, bringing experience and creativity. Defensively, the team can be stable, and their style is technical with many combinations and an offensive approach.
Rakow will need to play more offensively because they are going into the second leg down by one goal. Fiorentina has the advantage from the first match and will try to control the game with technical football and attacking combinations. I expect a dynamic match with chances for both teams.
GG (BTTS-Yes)
Predicted CS: 1:1
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Rayo Vallecano vs Samsunspor
Rayo Vallecano finished the group stage in 5th place with 13 points. After playing 6 matches, they had four wins, one draw, and one loss, with a goal difference of 13:7, showing a strong offense and solid organization.
In their first away game, they won 3:1. The attackers Garcia, Espino, and Perez stand out for their creativity and effectiveness. The team plays technical football with lots of movement and ball control, and their style is dynamic and offensive.
Samsunspor ended the group stage in 12th place with 10 points. After 6 matches, they achieved three wins, one draw, and two losses, with a goal difference of 10:6, indicating a solid attack and stable organization.
In the round of 16, they defeated Shkendija with an overall score of 5:0. In this match, they need to make up for a two-goal deficit to advance to the next round. The attackers Marius, Holse, and Musaba are known for their speed and creativity. Defensively, the team plays in a disciplined and compact manner, and their style is direct with quick transitions.
Rayo Vallecano has a big advantage after winning 3:1 away from home. The team plays technical and offensive football with a lot of movement and ball control. Samsunspor will need to take more risks to make up for the two-goal deficit. I expect the home team to have greater control of the game again and win the match.
1 (Rayo Vallecano to Win)
Predicted CS: 2:1
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Shakhtar Donetsk vs Lech Poznan
Shakhtar Donetsk finished the group stage in 6th place with 13 points. After playing 6 matches, they had four wins, one draw, and one loss, with a goal difference of 10:5, showing good organization and a solid defense.
In their first away game, they took a lead of two goals. The attackers Nazaryna, Kaua Elias, and Luca Meirelles stand out for their creativity and technical skills. The team plays a technical style of football with a lot of possession and combinations, and their approach is balanced and tactically disciplined.
Lech Poznan ended the group stage in 11th place with 10 points. After 6 matches, they achieved three wins, one draw, and two losses, with a goal difference of 12:8, indicating a solid offense but some defensive issues.
In the Round of 16, they defeated KuPS with an overall score of 3:0. At home, they lost 3:1 and need to perform at a high level if they want to advance to the next stage. The attackers Ishak, Ismaheel, and Palma are known for their speed and creativity. Their style is direct, featuring quick transitions and offensive play.
Shakhtar Donetsk has a big advantage with a two-goal lead on the away field. The team plays technical football with a lot of possession and good tactical discipline. Lech Poznan will need to take risks and play more offensively to make up for the deficit. I expect the home team to control the game and take advantage of their lead from the first match.
GG (BTTS-Yes)
Predicted CS: 1:1
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Sparta Prague vs AZ Alkmaar
Sparta Prague finished the group stage in 4th place with 13 points earned. After playing 6 matches, they had four wins, one draw, and one loss, with a goal difference of 10:3, showing strong defense and good efficiency.
In their first away match, they lost 2:1. In attack, Haraslin, Preciado, and Sadilek stand out, bringing creativity and energy to the game. The team plays disciplined with good organization in the midfield. Their style is structured and tactically stable.
AZ Alkmaar ended the group stage in 14th place with 10 points earned. After 6 matches, they had three wins, one draw, and two losses, with a goal difference of 7:7, indicating a relatively balanced performance.
In the Round of 16, they defeated Noah with an overall score of 4:1 and confidently advanced to this stage. At home, they secured a one-goal advantage. In attack, Mijnans, Jensen, and de Wit shine, adding creativity and dynamism to the game. Defensively, the team is well-organized and disciplined, and their style is offensive with lots of movement and quick attacks.
Sparta Prague needs to play more offensively because they are coming into the second leg with a 2:1 deficit. The team has a solid defense and good organization in the midfield. AZ Alkmaar has a slight advantage from the first match and will try to use their dynamic and attacking style of play. I expect a balanced and tactical game with chances for both teams.
3+ (Over 2.5)
Predicted CS: 2:1
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Strasbourg vs Rijeka
Strasbourg finished the group stage in first place with 16 points. After playing 6 matches, they had five wins and one draw, with a goal difference of 11:5, showing a strong defense and effective attack.
They achieved a 2:1 victory on the road. In the attack, Godo, Enciso, and Nanasi stand out for their creativity and scoring ability. The team plays technical football with good organization and ball control. They perform with discipline and tactical stability, and their style is balanced and well-structured.
Rijeka ended the group stage in 16th place with 9 points. After 6 matches, they had two wins, three draws, and one loss, with a goal difference of 5:2, indicating solid defensive stability.
In the round of 16, they defeated Omonia with an overall score of 4:1. At home, they couldn’t gain an advantage and enter this match with a one-goal deficit. In the attack, Adu Adjei, Fruk, and Petrovic are notable for their speed and energy. Defensively, the team is well-organized and disciplined, and their style is combative with quick transitions.
Strasbourg has an advantage with a 2:1 win on the road and because of their great form in the group stage. Rijeka will need to play more offensively to make up for the deficit. I expect Strasbourg to control the game and create more chances.
1 (Strasbourg to Win)
Predicted CS: 2:1
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Kindly be advised that all odds are accurate as of the publication date and time indicated, and they may be subject to alterations.
This article is part of Conference League Round 5.
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